Julie Alderman: Get to know people beyond a one-word label

Julie Alderman, a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, wrote this essay for The Post-Standard's Sept. 27 Voices page.

Julie Alderman

By Julie Alderman Contributing writer

Twenty-five years ago, the movie, “The Breakfast Club,” introduced people to high school personalities. There was Claire, the princess, Brian, the nerd, Allison, the quiet one, Andrew, the athlete, and John, the bad seed. It seemed as though these stereotypes would pass us in high school every day. But, 25 years later, do they still live?

“The Breakfast Club” was a great film, but it does not seem to keep up today. As we look through the crowded halls of high schools, how many Claires do we see? Can we spot someone who is clearly a Brian? The answer is no. The reason is because teens are so much more than one type.

Most teens have to fall into more than just one type. The athlete has to have good grades to compete or get a scholarship. That quiet girl has to speak up in order to pass her English class. Last year, a historic number of students applied to college. In order to compete we can no longer be one thing. In that respect, the stereotypes seen in “The Breakfast Club” don’t hold for today’s teens.

Even though they may not be exactly what we saw in the movie, stereotypes still exist. As a senior in a large public high school, I’m constantly trying to find what makes me different from everyone else. When we’re constantly trying to make ourselves unique, we have to realize that everyone else is, too. By stereotyping, we aren’t able to do that.

When you first see people, the stereotyping begins. After being with the people I see every day at school for four, eight, maybe even 12 years, I know they’re so much more than any stereotype. No one I know is simply a princess, a nerd or an athlete. Maybe if you think these stereotypes are real, you should get to know the people you’re stereotyping better.